Public shows interest in Illinois medical cannabis

CHICAGO (AP) -- Written comments by the hundreds are being reviewed by Illinois officials who are revising proposed regulations for the state's new medical marijuana program.

The public comments range from declarations of marijuana's healing properties to rants against the tough requirements in the first draft of the rules.

Three state agencies released 100 pages of citizen input in response to a public records request from The Associated Press.

The agencies soon will submit their proposed regulations to a legislative committee for review. Then more public comments will be heard.

For now, the comments are full of questions about how the medical marijuana program will work. Some reflect an eagerness to get involved from people who want to apply for licenses to grow or distribute medical cannabis.